Are there any consumer laws regarding the practice of surcharging?
Yes, Washington State has consumer laws regarding the practice of surcharging. Generally, a surcharge is an additional fee or cost that is added to a product or service at the point of sale. Washington State law prohibits businesses from surcharging customers when they use a credit or debit card for payment. This law does not apply to fees that businesses may charge for non-cash payments such as checks, money orders or e-checks. Washington State consumers are further protected from surcharging by the Unfair Practice Act. Under this act, any business that attempts to surcharge a customer in Washington State can be held liable and subject to civil penalties. The penalties may include damages and attorney fees. Businesses are also prohibited from mislabeling a surcharge as a “discount” or “promotion” and failing to disclose the surcharge. Additionally, a business is not allowed to refuse to accept a credit or debit card due to a surcharge. Overall, Washington State consumer law provides protection against the practice of surcharging. Consumers should be aware of this protection and be cautious when making purchases from businesses that may try to surcharge them.
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